Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesDuring the New Jersey Devils' home opener on Oct. 15, 2022, head coach Lindy Ruff was booed during the opening introductions and serenaded with chants of "Fire Lindy" in a 5-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. A month later, with the Devils amid a 13-game winning streak, they apologized with "Sorry, Lindy!" chants during a 4-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes.
Instead, the Devils find themselves struggling to remain in wild-card contention in the Eastern Conference. That could bring some heat back on Ruff over the remainder of the schedule.
The Devils' difficulties this season are largely injury-related. Core players such as Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier and Dougie Hamilton have missed time or remain sidelined. Goaltenders Vitek Vanecek, Akira Schmid and Nico Daws have struggled along with the defense, giving the Devils a goals-against per game (3.57) that is the league's fourth-worst.
Given all this plus Ruff's extension, it appears unlikely he'll be fired. If the Devils rally and reach the playoffs, it would at least salvage this season. However, Ruff could be the target of criticism if they miss the postseason, casting a shadow of doubt over him heading into 2024-25.
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